Middle school basketball

Clarinda edged the Creston seventh-grade girls, 26-24, in a game that was close all the way. A Creston shot just before the buzzer bounced off the rim as the Cardinals held on, after leading 12-8 at halftime.

Maddie Hartley scored nine points for Clarinda. Chloe Hagle led Creston with eight points and Kiersten Latham added six.

“If you didn’t come out, you missed a great game,” Creston coach Jim Hyde said. “There was so much improvement in the girls from game one to game two.”

Clarinda won the B game, 10-2.

Creston (24) — Chloe Hagle 8, Kiersten Latham 6, Sophia Groumoutis 2, Cayla Maitlen 2, Kendra Stewart 2, Breanna Wallace 2.

Clarinda (26) — Maddie Hartley 9, Lauren Bair 5, Carson Stipe 4, Abbie Guthrie 3, Joslynn Williams 2, Allison DeVoe 2.

Creston B (2) — Kalan Bloodgood 2.

Clarinda B (10) — Sabrina Barron 4, Maddy Clark 2, Anna Hull 2, Lily Twaddle 2.

8th girls

An 11-4 second quarter opened up a 19-8 halftime lead and the Creston eighth-grade girls defeated Clarinda here Thursday, 33-20.

Hannah Hood had 15 points, seven rebounds and eight steals for the Panthers (1-1). Cammy Rutherford added 11 points, four rebounds and six steals. Madison Callahan contributed seven points and two steals. Logan Pettit came up with three steals.

“Our girls played with a lot of energy,” Creston coach Anthony Donahoo said. “We’re still learning.”

Clarinda won the B game, 10-3.

Creston seventh and eighth-graders host West Central Valley on Monday.

Creston (33) — Hannah Hood 15, Cammy Rutherford 11, Madison Callahan 7. Rebounds — Hood 7, Rutherford 4, Kristy Powers 2, Callahan 1. Steals — Hood 8, Rutherford 6, Logan Pettit 3, Callahan 2, Rachel Shepherd 1, Cydney Seley 1.

Clarinda (20) — Maddy Gray 8, Brooke Brown 4, Cynthia Best 2, Grace Davidson 2, Mikaela Fine 2, Delayne Glassgow 2.

Creston B (3) — Cydney Seley 2, Katie Powers 1. Rebounds — Katie Powers 3, Logan Pettit 1, Allisha Larkin 1, Cydney Seley 1, Alexus Larkin 1. Steals — Jordan Bloodgood 2, Sley 1, Powers 1, Alexus Larkin 1.